March 9, 2010

Touchdown Atlantic charges forward

TOUCHDOWN ATLANTIC AND THE CFL: AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AUTHENTIC FUN
Tickets as low as $29 and more than half the seats under $50; special pre-sale on March 24th

MONCTON — Tickets go on sale later this month for the Canadian Football League’s “touchdown” in Atlantic Canada with tickets as low as $29, Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon announced today.

“Touchdown Atlantic, the first regular season CFL game in Atlantic Canada, will be true to what is best about our league,” he said. “It will be accessible for our fans, affordable for most everyone, and, given the enthusiasm of so many wonderful people here, tremendous fun for everyone who attends.” Cohon revealed:

• Tickets will cost as little as $29, more than half the tickets will cost less than $50, and the best seats in the stands will cost $79 (all prices include 13 per cent HST and are subject to service fees).

• Individuals and families can be the first to buy tickets by registering now at CFL.ca/TouchdownAtlantic for a special 24-hour pre-sale that will take place on March 24.

• The general ticket sale will kick off on March 25.

The Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos will face each other on Sunday, September 26 at 1:00pm AT in front what is expected to be a capacity crowd of more than 20,000 fans at the new Stade Moncton Stadium on the campus of the Université de Moncton.

“The purpose of this game is to celebrate our game and our fans here in Atlantic Canada by bringing them together,” said Cohon. “That’s why we’ve strived to price tickets so they’re affordable for families, students, almost everyone, and we’re providing the March 24 pre-sale so individuals can buy ahead of corporations and groups.”

Cohon unveiled the new Touchdown Atlantic logo and thanked the local Touchdown Atlantic Organizing Committee, chaired by Bruno Roy and Brent Scrimshaw. Roy told reporters work is already well underway on a weekend long festival of Atlantic Canadian entertainment, parties, food and football. It will include high school and university football games, and culminate with the big CFL game on Sunday afternoon, an East-West match-up that comes as the league’s teams are making their run to the playoffs and the Grey Cup.

Cohon also presented the very first two Touchdown Atlantic game tickets to the Moncton Football Association who was represented at the news conference by some of their young football players.New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham said while his province is excited about hosting the event, organizers are inviting fans from across Atlantic Canada to come to Moncton to celebrate the region as well as the football.

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said he hopes a big football crowd, on the heels of major concerts held here in recent years, will further cement the city’s growing reputation as an entertainment centre.

Toronto Argonauts Adriano Belli said the Double Blue look forward to meeting fans here and contributing to the community. “CFL players are proud of what we do on the field and in the community and we’re very proud to bring our league to Atlantic Canada.  We’re especially excited to be the home team and are looking forward to seeing all of our East Coast fans in the Double Blue!” Belli said.

Edmonton Eskimo Offensive Lineman Patrick Kabongo told the news conference he and his teammates can’t wait for the game. “It’s going to be a special atmosphere to play football in a game that counts in a new and exciting setting, in front of a whole new group of fans,” Kabongo said.

Kabongo and Belli plan a series of community and media appearances across the region over the next two days. They were joined at the news conference by Rick LeLacheur, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Edmonton Eskimos, and Bob Nicholson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Argonauts.

“Ever since we announced the game last Fall, our reception here has been tremendous,” LeLacheur said.

“Both teams have the same goals for Touchdown Atlantic: make a positive difference in the community, meet new friends, and win the game,” Nicholson said.